SPANISH 1
Department Philosophy:
Excitement about, and appreciation for, the unique
knowledge
and possibilities of experience that a second language affords is a key
ingredient to cultivating the habits and goals of a life-long learner.
Nurturing an affinity for the Spanish language, therefore, is the
overarching
goal of the department. Exposure to foreign cultures through music,
painting,
drama, film, and poetry, feeds that kind of excitement.
To master any language is a long and difficult
process that
demands patience and diligence. However, mastery of fundamental skills
in
speaking, reading, and listening comprehension, in combination with
metalinguistic awareness and reflection on oneÕs own learning process,
can
foster optimism in the student. This optimism is necessary to temper
the often
tedious tasks of building vocabulary and refining grammar. If students
can feel
empowered by their linguistic accomplishmentsŃ can sense broadening
horizons of expression and understandingŃ they will be more likely to
continue on the arduous path. Therefore, our language program aims at
mastery
of language fundamentals through diverse, engaging activities and
self-conscious learning through frequent review and reflection.
Course Description:
The course focuses on fundamentals of the Spanish
language
in written and spoken contexts: rules of orthography and punctuation,
pronunciation and inflection, syntactic structures, basic vocabulary,
and verb
conjugation in the present indicative and preterit. Students will be
able to
produce simple phrases in written and spoken form, and will master a
number of
routine communications, such as asking for the time of day, greeting
others in
formal and informal contexts, describing individuals and objects, and
expressing preferences and tastes. Aside from their productive
capacities,
students will expand their receptive vocabularies through frequent
reading and
listening activities. Lastly, students will explore the physical,
political,
and cultural geography of Spanish Latin America.
Learning Activities:
Skits, charades, ŅpictionaryÓ, flashcards, verb
drills,
verbal and written descriptions, reading of short stories and
dialogues, cloze
activities, translations of short passages, arithmetic, music
appreciation,
geography activities, childrenÕs stories, tests and quizzes
Course Materials:
Realidades 1,
textbook,
reading and assessment supplements by Prentice Hall
Videos, maps, sound
recordings,
primary source documents, and cultural artifacts from various sources
Course Outline:
UNIT A: ĮBienvenidos!
UNIT B: Ser y Estar
UNIT I: ĄQuˇ quieres y c—mo eres?
UNIT II: La Escuela
UNIT III: La comida
UNIT IV: Vacaciones y el Tiempo Libre
UNIT V: Las Celebraciones
UNIT VI: En la Casa
UNIT VII: Vamos a Comprar
UNIT VIII: Comunidades y Destinaciones
UNIT IX: Medios de Comunicaci—n